Cleaning tool for between layered radiators and/or heat exchangers or other confined spaces

ABSTRACT

This simple, inexpensive cleaning tool consisting of a partially flattened tube with a spade or wedge shape guiding tip, and holes, slots or nozzles on one or both flattened sides can be inserted between heat exchangers or radiators as used on motor vehicles or can be used in other limited access areas. The tube can be connected to a pressurized liquid or gas source for cleaning or coating in confined spaces such as the stacked heat exchangers, radiators, as described above, but also electric motors or electrical panels, appliances, computers and so forth, eliminating the need for time consuming and expensive disassembly. The device can be made of a variety of materials, and in a variety of lengths and widths depending on pressure needed, type of equipment being cleaned and fluids or gases being used. Equipment cleaned in this manner can be returned to optimal service quickly and cheaply. This device creates a new family of simple tools much as hammers, screw drivers, blow guns or wrenches each represents a family of tools. Each of these families may be made in different sizes or from different materials as necessary for the job being done. The same is true for this new device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

CLEANING TOOL FOR BETWEEN LAYERED RADIATORS AND/OR HEAT EXCHANGERS OR OTHER CONFINED SPACES Provisional Patent Appln No. 60/854/607, filed Oct, 26, 2006, Confirmation No 2110

Invention Disclosure: Multiple Radiator and/or Heat Exchanger Cleaning Tool Disclosure Document No 564538 dated Nov. 5, 2004

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is a simple, multipurpose, hand tool that relates to cleaning the exterior of layered heat exchangers (radiators, inter coolers etc.) of motor vehicles, heavy equipment or any other closely spaced equipment and/or any narrow or confined area such as appliances and electronic equipment that would be difficult or impossible to clean with other tools or might normally require disassembly of the equipment for cleaning.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—PRIOR ART

Many pieces of equipment require heat exchangers for removing damaging heat from engines, hydraulic systems, air conditioning and other refrigeration systems etc. and for maintaining the proper temperature for optimal operation. Vehicles and industrial equipment such as stationary engine generators commonly use several heat exchangers, a radiator for the engine coolant, turbo charger inter cooler, air conditioner heat exchanger, and in some cases a hydraulic or transmission heat exchanger as well, all layered in a single air stream propelled by the forward motion of the vehicle or by a fan. As the dirt collects over time on these fins and between the cooling layers, the air flow decreases, the efficiency of the radiators decline, and over heating of the engine or other equipment is the eventual result. Ultimately engine or equipment damage is the net result. The dirtier the environment such as in mines, industrial plants, farms and other dusty areas or even normal winter driving of cars and trucks, the more quickly the air flow is reduced and the faster the cooling efficiency declines and the radiators or heat exchangers become more difficult to clean. To regain optimum efficiency, it has heretofore been necessary to disassemble the stacked units for cleaning or to use indirect liquid spray or air pressure. The typical method for cleaning in the field and often in the shop as well is to brush the front heat exchanger, and then direct an air or liquid nozzle from the rear in an effort to dislodge grease, bugs, dirt, mildew, flaked paint, etc. which have embedded themselves into the second, third and fourth exchangers in line. This air or liquid nozzle cleaning is usually poorly done (1) because the rear most heat exchanger or radiator restricts the air or water flow so less and less pressure and flow moves forward through the intervening spaces and each of the forwardly mounted heat exchangers and (2) as most modem radiators have a restricting fan shroud, a large fan and clutch assembly, and various water pumps, pulleys, belts, alternators, etc. mounted so as to restrict access by any kind of blow gun or water nozzle currently available in the marketplace. Similarly, appliances such as household refrigerators and commercial refrigeration equipment have heat exchangers often times mounted inconveniently close to the rear of the appliance or packed in a narrow space underneath. Also, electrical equipment such as computers and electric motors have extremely confined areas needing cleaning with air or non-conductive, non-flammable cleaning fluids. None of the other devices mentioned herein are suitable for cleaning any of this equipment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,240 issued Feb. 16, 1993 to Kennon et al. is a coil cleaning assembly and is mounted in permanent positions to only clean the coils of the machine in which it is mounted. It is not a general purpose item and cannot readily be moved from machine to machine. This a relatively expensive device to manufacture, install and maintain for the purpose of cleaning the cooling coils. U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,640 issued Jun. 27, 2000 to Gary W Meritts is specifically for cleaning under autos. It is a round tube and is designed only for water and to fit in the space under an automobile. Its size and shape would preclude its use in confined spaces such as between heat exchangers. Even if it could fit between the layered heat exchangers, its shape, length and thickness would render it awkward to use. U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,791 issued Apr. 30, 2002 to Marvin Wayne Perry, Anton Theodore Bociek is a spray wand for cleaning boat hulls. This device is also round tube, very long and for liquids only. Due to its size and shape, it would also be difficult or impossible to use in narrow or confined areas. U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,209 issued Aug. 9, 2005 to Cannon is directly limited to the air handler of an air conditioner. It refers to the long existing problem of cleaning heat exchangers to recover their efficiency but limits itself to air conditioning handlers. This device uses a round copper tube attached to a pistol-grip water nozzle. The copper tubing is as large as 16 millimeters, has a cap as an end closure and is much too large for confined work such as stacked heat exchangers or electronic equipment. Using this tool with air pressure is never mentioned or implied. Its dimensions and construction material are very specific limiting its applications.

SUMMARY

The invention, a cleaning tool for confined spaces such as the spaces between the fins and tubes, etc of stacked heat exchangers or other limited access equipment allows the user to quickly, cheaply, thoroughly clean these surfaces and/or apply coatings, disinfectants etc. without disassembling the equipment needing cleaning.

DRAWINGS

FIG. I Two views of cleaning tool, side view and edge view

FIG. II Examples only of adapter fittings that may be used with the tool

FIG. III Stacked radiators and/or heat exchangers as commonly used in motor vehicles, heavy equipment and other machinery, a frontal view

FIG. IV Radiators and/or heat exchangers, a side view

FIG. V A cut away drawing of a common refrigerator showing compressor, fan and heat exchanger

FIG. IV Showing a simplified drawing of a common desk top computer

Cad Drawing 1 showing the unit from the flat side and made of copper as in my original prototype.

Cad Drawing 2 showing the same unit, an edge view.

Cad Drawing 3 An angled view showing various common fittings which facilitate the use of the tool.

Cad Drawing 4 showing the tool as it would appear made out of steel or aluminum tubing also with facilitating fittings.

Photo 1 Shows the tool attached to a typical garden hose and inserted between the fan shroud and the radiator of a typical pickup truck, with water, dirt and debris falling out below.

Photo 2 Showing the tool inserted between the radiator and inter-cooler of the above mentioned pickup.

Photo 3 Showing the tool inserted between the inter-cooler and air conditioning condenser of the above mentioned pickup.

Photo 4 Showing the tool attached to the air hose of a common home-shop air compressor and inserted between the fan shroud and the radiator. The tool is blowing water and loosened debris from the radiator.

Photo 5 showing air, water and debris being blown out of the vehicle in the final steps of cleaning.

Photo 6 Showing the tool in preparation for operation using air from a compressor to clean the mechanism under a common refrigerator

Photo 7 Showing the tool in operation cleaning dust, dirt etc from under the above mentioned refrigerator

REFERENCE NUMERALS

1. A common pipe thread which may be from ¼″ IPS or larger as application demands. This thread may be male or female but male is shown, for example only. A common application for home or shop use would use ⅛″ IPS thread to allow sufficient water flow for efficient cleaning of automotive or small truck installations. Many different types of fittings can be manufactured onto this tool but common pipe thread allows the simple adaptation of the tool to various situations.

2. This shows the neck of the device where it transforms from a round, common thread size to the main body of the tool.

3. This view shows the edge of the main body of the tool as a partially flattened pipe, tube or other hollow rod allowing the cleaning tool to be inserted into narrow spaces between heat exchangers or other equipment. While the thickness of the embodiment will vary with application, the tool can easily be made in thicknesses as narrow as ¼″ for common usage, and thinner if necessary. This body may be made of various materials but the simplest version would be copper or PVC pipe partially flattened in a rolling device. This unit can be from a few inches long up to 5 or 6 feet long or even longer depending on the radiators or other equipment to be cleaned or coated and their relative accessibility. It is conceivable that a mechanic or other person might choose to possess several variations of this invention much as they would possess several different hammers, wrenches or screw drivers.

4. Shows several holes drilled in the tool. These are used as simple nozzles. Slots will give a wider pattern at lower pressure or flow for some applications. The exact number, shape and size of holes or slots depends on the length and application of the tool, much as the thickness, width and length of a flat screw driver blade depends on the size and type of screws to be turned and the location of said screws.

5. The flattened leading end as shown, while not absolutely necessary to the function of the tool, does allow the tool to be more easily inserted into narrow crevices and tends to minimize damage to delicate cooling fins, etc.

6. This view shows the side view of the main body of the tool as a partially flattened pipe, tube or other hollow rod, with holes allowing water, air or other fluid to be discharged at a right angle to the tool. The width and length is dependent upon application.

7. This view shows the side of the flattened leading end of the tool as described in #5 above. Note that the comers are rounded to minimize damage.

8. These are holes drilled into the body of the tool. They may be various sizes and/or number of holes depending on the pressure and flow desired. Slots may also be used in their place to get a narrower, flatter pattern.

9. This view shows an optional nozzle similar to the type commonly used on paint sprayers or agricultural spraying equipment. These could be inserted into the holes on larger versions of the device allowing greater control.

10. Numbers 10 through 16 show various common adapters or fittings which allow this tool to be used with a variety fluid sources. These are shown only to illustrate the versatility of the tool, and are not part of the invention. Number 10 shows common garden hose thread.

11. Shows IPS thread to match thread as shown in Number 1 above.

12. This is a common, usually brass, fitting incorporating thread sizes as described in Numbers 10 and 11 above.

13. Shows one of several commonly used air quick adapter nipples which usually incorporate a ¼″ IPS thread.

14. This shows a ¼″ IPS thread to accommodate the air adapter as in Number 13 above

15. Shows a thread size to accommodate the thread as in Number 1 above.

16. This is a common adapter, usually made of brass, incorporating thread sizes in Number 14 and 15 above.

17. Engine or other cooling fan used to move air through the stacked radiators or heat exchangers.

18. Shows a common style of liquid coolant radiator as used on millions of vehicles around the world. A coolant, usually consisting of water, some form of anti-freeze, and other additives enters at the top or side usually through hoses, and exits through the opposite end. This unit consists of many small tubes, usually with thin metal fins attached to these tubes to facilitate the transfer of heat from the liquid inside to the airflow passing through the radiator. Even though this unit is behind several others in the air stream, it accumulates grease, grime, and dirt between the many tubes and fins thus reducing the efficiency of the heat transfer. Numbers 19 and 20 below show other heat exchangers in the same air stream. Since they are in front of this large radiator, as they also become blocked with dirt, bugs and other contaminants, the air flow to this radiator is gradually reduced, and engine overheating and damage eventually is the result.

19. In many cars and most large trucks today, a turbo charger is used to increase power and efficiency of the engine. A turbo charger inter cooler is commonly used to cool the air between the turbo charger and engine, as cooler, denser air increases the power, fuel economy and efficiency still further. It like the radiator described in Number 18 is usually made with a large number of small tubes with fins attached to facilitate heat transfer to the air stream. Being farther forward, it tends to accumulate an even greater amount of dirt and debris than the radiator described in Number 18. It is even more difficult to clean than the radiator in Number 18 as there is no common tool available to flush the dirt and debris from the narrow spaces between these fins and tubes.

20. Foremost in a common automotive and truck installation is the a/c heat exchanger. While there may be other heat exchangers in the air stream as well, they are usually smaller than this one, so the a/c tends to accumulate the most bugs, dirt and other debris from the air stream. This one can be brushed to clean it, but that normally gets only the surface debris. No in depth cleaning is possible because of the small passages which are again usually tubes and cooling fins. Any air nozzle or water nozzle directed into the rear of the engine radiator at best cleans only part of the engine radiator itself because of the difficulty of accessing through the fan, shroud, and other belts and equipment that interfere. Little or no air flow passes through it to clean heat exchangers Number 19 and 20.

21. Shows the air flow through the stacked radiators or heat exchangers, and may be generated by forward motion of the vehicle or by a fan. This air stream almost always contains large amounts of contaminants such as sand, bugs, road grime, slush, ice, etc. much of which will ultimately accumulate in the units described in Numbers 18, 19 and 20, thus reducing their ability to transfer heat.

22. Shows spaces between the various units described in Numbers 18, 19 and 20. They are exaggerated here for illustrative purposes only, and in normal application these spaces are between ⅜″ and ¾″ making it nearly impossible to use any standard air or water nozzle effectively because the air or water stream can not be directed toward the surfaces needing cleaning.

23. In figure III, this shows my invention about to be inserted between a couple of the units. It is designed to be inserted behind any of these units through normally available access slots or spaces and maybe inserted from top, bottom or sides as openings allow (see figure IV). The unit is then moved up and down and side to side in a scrubbing or flushing motion gradually covering the entire surface of each radiator or heat exchanger in turn. Dirt and debris normally drop out between the various layers as they are cleaned. A suggested cleaning method is to attach the wand, rod or cleaning tool first to a pressurized air source and flush each radiator or heat exchanger in turn doing the rear most radiator first and proceeding forward as they are cleaned. Then the tool, using common adapters, fittings or valves (25) would be attached to a warm or cold water source and then the method of flushing the rear most unit first and moving forward would be repeated. Again, dirty water and debris would fall out between the radiators or heat exchangers. This may be sufficient for most cleaning applications. A third cleaning cycle, repeating the first with air would tend to increase the efficiency of the cleaning process. Any of this could be repeated as necessary.

24. Shows a hose which can be air, water or other fluid coming from a pressurized source to the cleaning tool, rod or wand.

25. Shows one of a variety of common adapters as described above used to attach various types of pressurized sources of fluids.

26. This shows the air, liquid or other fluid passing through one or more of the heat exchangers carrying dirt, debris and other contaminants being flushed out and dropping out of the equipment.

27. This shows a way of inserting the tool behind the liquid coolant radiator by loosening but not removing the screw or screws (28) that retain the fan shroud (29) thus allowing the tool to be inserted if there is not sufficient space already available.

28. Shows the screw or screws described in Number 27 above.

29. Fan shroud as described in Number 27 above.

30. This shows the air or water nozzles commonly used which would be obsoleted by my invention.

31. This shows an optional eductor or injector used to put cleaners or other chemicals into the fluid stream if necessary.

32. Showing the tool inserted under a common refrigerator.

33. The compressor of the refrigerator.

34. The fan of the refrigerator.

35. The heat exchanger or condenser of the refrigerator.

36. Shows the tool as in another embodiment made out of non-magnetic, non-conductive material such as PVC and being inserted into 37.

37. A desk top style computer with its works drawer open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION One Embodiment

FIG. I is a side and front view of this embodiment of the cleaning tool as used for layered radiators and/or heat exchangers or other confined spaces showing round holes on one side. This simple tool is designed to reach into extremely confined spaces such as between radiators on motor vehicles and allow 90 degree spray angle for cleaning or coating purposes. This device can be made out of various materials including but not limited to metals such as aluminum, copper, brass, steel depending on the fluid and pressures used. The tool has a long, flattened tip that facilitates inserting the tool into narrow crevices. At the other end of the tool is an IPS pipe thread which can be either male or female, and any convenient size to allow commonly used adapters to be attached to the tool to allow use of the tool with air hoses, water hoses, etc. as commonly used in all kinds of home or commercial shops. Also shown is an optional nozzle which on larger industrial versions of this device would permit a more controlled spraying of cleaners or coatings.

FIG. II shows examples of commonly used fittings which may be used to attach the cleaning tool to various sources of pressurized air, water, or other fluids or coatings. These are shown only to illustrate the versatility of the tool, and are not part of the invention.

FIG. III Motorized vehicles such as cars, trucks, RVs, train engines, earth moving equipment, etc. commonly use layered heat exchangers or radiators in a single air stream using forward motion combined with some type of fan to force cooling air through said heat exchangers or radiators to remove the heat of operation from engines, hydraulic systems, a/c systems, etc. This figure shows a common arrangement in a car or truck where the first unit is normally an a/c heat exchanger, followed by a turbo charger inter cooler, then followed by the liquid coolant radiator for the engine. Normally a fan of some type with a shroud would follow this for forcing cooling air through all three of them at one time. The space between these is exaggerated for illustrative purposes only. This space in practice is often times as small as ¼ inch rendering normal cleaning methods inefficient or impossible.

FIG. IV This is a side view of the radiators and heat exchangers shown in FIG. III. The spacing shown is typical of cars and trucks, and is normally ⅜″ to ¾″ between units. This figure shows the cleaning tool or wand inserted in the narrow space between radiators. This figure also shows an air gun as typically used in an ineffective attempt at cleaning due to the restrictions of the fan, fan shroud, and other equipment. My invention renders this method of cleaning obsolete.

Operation One Embodiment

In one of several embodiments, my simple, inexpensive cleaning tool makes it possible to clean the clogged surfaces within stacked heat exchangers typical in motor vehicles and heavy equipment. The cleaning tool consists of a hollow rod, tube or wand and is flattened sufficiently to fit in confined areas. This hollow rod, tube or wand has holes, slots or nozzles along one flat side allowing pressurized liquids or gases to pass through and spray at right angles to the tool. In this embodiment one method of operation uses the tool by connecting it first to a water hose or other liquid source under pressure. The tool is inserted first between the fan shroud (30) and the radiator, loosening fan shroud screws if necessary (reference FIG. IV and Photo 1). This places it immediately behind the radiator and in front of the fan, belts, pulleys, alternators etc. that would normally restrict cleaning using inferior methods. The tool or wand is moved side to side in a slow, sweeping motion, and then up and down as necessary. Then the tool is progressively inserted between more forwardly mounted units, and the sweeping motion is repeated with each (reference FIG. IV and Photos 2 and 3). This tends to push embedded dirt, bugs, road grime, flaked paint, etc. forward reversing the way it came in, and allowing it to drop out between the radiators or heat exchangers. The tool can then be reinserted into the confined area first cleaned with liquid, and the earlier steps are repeated using compressed air. This further loosens and removes debris softened but not removed by the liquid (reference FIG. IV and Photos 4 and 5). The wedge shape at the leading end of the tool, allows it to penetrate tight areas more easily without damage to the cooling fins or other delicate parts. The pressurized water, solvents or gases are sprayed on the surfaces to be cleaned at right angles to the tool greatly increasing the cleaning efficiency. Various cleaning fluids such as cold or hot water, air, other gases, detergents, disinfectants or fungicides, and commercial cleaning fluids can be pressure applied to the heat exchangers or radiators. It can be made in lengths appropriate to the size of the equipment being cleaned. The device may be made shorter and thinner to clean smaller equipment such as the cooling systems on a car or longer for larger trucks, earth movers or stationary industrial equipment. The device in one of its simplest forms is fitted with a common pipe thread allowing the connection of a variety of standard valves, fittings and extensions so as to render it easy to use with a variety of sources of fluids and pressures. These valves, fittings and extensions do not constitute part of the invention, they merely facilitate its use. The device can be manufactured with any of several valves, fittings, extensions etc. for use in other specialized embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Another Embodiment

In another embodiment, as in FIG. VI, it may be used to blow dust and/or flush with a non-flammable liquid the inside of computers or other similar confined electronic equipment. The device's ability to reach into extremely narrow areas as small as ¼″ makes it capable of cleaning inside cramped quarters such as electric motors, electronic equipment as in computers, and other areas where a very slim wand is necessary for cleaning, blowing, or even spraying coatings. The hollow rod, tube or wand can be made of various non-magnetic, non-conducting materials such as glass or plastics depending on the application and costs involved. The hollow rod, tube or wand can be made from a semi rigid “hose like” material that can flex enough to allow its insertion into areas where a direct straight insertion of the tool is not possible. This could allow the cleaning tool to function by going around obstacles without disassembly or loosening the parts needing cleaning. Holes can be on both sides of flattened hollow rod, tube or wand. Holes can be round or slotted to produce the desired spray pattern. On larger embodiments, nozzles can be used in place of the holes. The liquid or gas being used will dictate the adapters and size of the tool.

Operation Another Embodiment

The same operational steps can be utilized for this embodiment as with the first embodiment, if appropriate to the application. Obviously, cleaning computers and similar equipment would require cleaning with air or solvents that would not damage the equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Other Embodiments

This tool can also be used to clean under or behind appliances such as the heat exchanger under the refrigerator as shown in FIG. V and Photos 6 and 7. Similarly it can be used under or behind other appliances or even equipment in offices or manufacturing plants. It could also be used under the dash boards of cars, trucks, buses etc. to remove dust, dirt, spider webs etc. from wiring or from the heater/air conditioner assembly. In short, it can be used in any confined space where blow guns, water nozzles, or similar tools are inappropriate or impossible to use.

Operation Other Embodiments

The operation is similar to one embodiment above. Inserting the tool of appropriate length and material and using appropriate liquids or gases. 

1. A multipurpose hand held cleaning tool (a) having as its essence a very thin tube, with right angle holes, slots, nozzles or other perforations allowing it to be inserted in extremely narrow areas, particularly as used in vehicular radiators or heat exchangers which are commonly stacked in a single air stream whereby the tool can be used to clean or coat such hard to reach narrow areas and also other confined spaces such as electronic equipment and/or appliances, and electric motors etc. that would otherwise require disassembly for cleaning, coating or treating with liquids or gases and are difficult or impossible to clean with other commonly available tools (b) comprising a hollow rod, tube or wand partially flattened with holes, slots or nozzles on one or both sides, (c) said hollow rod, tube or wand sealed at leading end into a wedge shape facilitating insertion into limited access areas, (d) said hollow rod, tube or wand fitted with a standard thread at input end to allow pressurized liquid and gas connectors, valves, eductors etc. in general use to be attached to said rod, tube or wand, (e) said tool can be made of a variety of materials such as metal, plastic, glass etc. and in a variety of lengths and widths as appropriate to the equipment to be cleaned (f) said tool may be manufactured with valves, connectors etc permanently attached if appropriate to a given unique situation 